Metallic partition construction



Feb. 6, 1934. J. A. BOHNSACK ET AL METALLIC PARTITION CONSTRUCTION v o. W W M Q In. m %5 A ma Patented Feb. 6, 1934 UNITED, STATES- PATENT OFFICE 1.946.268 METALLIC PARTITION CONSTRUCTION lohn A. Bohnsaclr and Thomas V. Balch, Cleveland Heights, Ohio, assignors to The E. F. Hauserman Company, Cleveland, hio, a corporation of Ohio Application September 10, 1928, Serial No. 304,890

Renewed June 23, 1933 Claims. v(Cl. 189-34) This invention relates to wall constructions, and more particularly partition constructions of metallic character; and it is among the objects of the invention to provide such a structure in which 5 ease of assembly and of disassembly are realized in a very high degree, while at the same time very accurate fitting may be had. Other objects and advantages will appear as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, consists of the features hereinafter fully described, and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description setting forth in detail certain structure embodying the invention, such being illustrative however of but a few of the various ways in which the principle of the invention may be employed.

In said annexed drawing:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken on a plane indicated by the line lI- -II, Fig. 1; Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are sectional details; and Fig. 6 is a transverse section taken on a plane indicated by the line VI-VI, Fig. l.

. Referring more particularlyv to the drawing, there is shown a partition including vertical mem bers V, and panels P therebetween. The vertical members comprise framing elements 2 of generally channel shape, and these being brought into spaced relation .with the flanges 3 directed toward each other, clips 4 engage these respectively, binding them together in such spaced relation by tongues 5 which hook into cor-responding slots in the respective flanges. In this manner, the elements 2 are bound firmly together, but the clips 4 being themselves spaced apart, the interior of the post thus formed becomes readily accessible throughout its length. The ends of the clips 4 may be turned, as at 6, and a face plate .7 with inwardly directed flanges 8 may then engage resiliently over such clip-endsand thereby afford an easily removable finish and closure for the vertical. Where engagement at its sides, by way of suitable support of intervening panel elements, the vertical elements 2 are further provided with interengaging surfaces for the panel elements, preferably being recessed longitudinally in the web portion, as at 9. A sash member ,10 may thus then be readily positioned in holding engagement with the vertical, by virtue of the longitudinal recess therein, and panel members may thus be had in demountable form, the stretcher elements 11 being held by muntln strips 12, preferably 01' demountabletype.

A strike or stop 13 may also be engaged with the recessed portion 9 of the vertical element 2 as readily as the sash elements 10, and correspondingly with a standardized type of construction, various conditions and requirements involving partition assembly may be made quite conveniently.

As horizontal members in such panel construction, framing elements 14, preferably of channel shaped sheet metal are provided such as to interlock with adjacent horizontal elements; in the case of a lowermost panel, this being a base member 15 having for instance a longitudinal raised rib 16 over which the margins 17 of the flanges of the horizontal element 14 may engage. Above the base member 15, the sash elements 10 in the recesses in the verticals join the horizontal framing elements 14 at the corners in suitable manner, such as coping or mitering. Rail members likewise on the interchangeable interlock order may comprise a generally channel shaped sheet metal member 18 having its engaging surfaces provided with the interlocking means, for instance longitudinal recesses along the web portion 19 and along the corresponding in-tumed margins 20 of the flanges, this constituting a desirable detail structure for lower rail members. The interlocking engagement between the rail members and the sash members may also be provided in the form of longitudinal ribs 21 along the engaging surfaces of the rail member 18', these then allowing the in-turned margins 17 of the sash members 14 to thus engage thereover. The rail member 18, especially advantageous also for higher posi-. tions, may conveniently be made up of two channel shaped halves mating together with exteriorly bent flange portions 22, these latter being secured together in any suitable way, as by welding, brazing, etc.

I Preferably, the panel framing members are grooved with a groove wider at the bottom or innermost portion 23 than at the top or boundary 24 of the groove, as illustrated more particularly in Fig. 2. Such construction allows of the application of some degree of resiliency on the part of the lips or edges of the groove 24, and the panel or stretcher 25 is thus supported by line contact with the frame member 14 and a uniformly tight engagement may be had.

The cornice extends in continuity across the tops of the verticals, and is secured thereto by suitable means. This most desirably includes means for tightening, whereby the assembly may be securely held, yet in such a manner as to permit convenient has openings above,

tions of the cornice, and

Brackets 26 may be fastened to vertical elements 2 near the upper end, and through a hole 27 in such brackets hook bolts 28 may then be positioned such as to engage over the adjacent porprojection, assemblies'may be tightly locked together. If preferred, instead of a wedge passed through an opening in such tongue, the tongue 29' itself may simply be bent down as in dotted line position, Fig. 4, against the cornice member, thereby binding the assemblage together. For the dismounting of the latter, all that is then required is to bend up the tongue projection 29' into vertical alignment with the slot, whereupon the cornice may be lifted therefrom.

Convenient interlocked engaging means is provided for the cornice also, and this may take the form of a longitudinal broad rib or abutment 32 on the lower side, which form will thus be seen to be directly interlcckable with the panel frame member 14, the inturned margins of the flanges thereof seating over the longitudinal rib, as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 5. In some cases, instead of an external interlock engagement, it is more desirable to provide grooves 33 in the lower side of the cornice, these then receiving the straight flanges 34 of the framing element 14".

Interlocking engagement at the top of the cornice may be had by the inturned margins 35 of the flanges, these being bridged at intervals by ties 36 suitably fastened to each and being centrally depressed, whereby an upper longitudinal member may seat with interengagement between the margins 35'. As a similar form along this same order, the flanges may be formed with grooves 3'7, adapted to receive the upper longitudinal horizontal member. Instead of the foregoing, in some cases, it is more desirable to provide the upper side of the cornice with a wide recess of groove 38, Fig. 5, the adjacent horizontal member being then receivable between the sides of the groove, as between the free margins of the flanges foregoing. With the cornice so formed of the channel member with web upwardly, suitable spacing-securement of the flanges may be had by spaced ties 39 fastened to the margins 40 of the flanges in any suitable manner, as by welding, brazing, etc.

It will thus be seen that a partition construction isavailable in which assembly from standardized elements may be had, the respective vertical elements being brought together and se-, cured in spaced relation by sash or panel framing elements being apposed in engagement with the verticals,- and the panel stretchers being locked by their respective muntins. Panel unit P after panel unit may be thus successively set up one over the other between the verticals V, and the rails may be interlockably engaged with the adjacent horizontal framing elements, and so on up to the cornice, which in turn may be brought into interlocking engage= thus all be firmly bound the clips 4, and the.

ment with the adjacent horizontal framing element and the tops of the verticals, andthen bev secured to the latter, as pointed out. Conversely, in the event of necessity for taking out any par ticular panel, access thereto, or removal of the entire assemblage may be readily accomplished.

Other modes of applying the principle of the invention may be employed, change being made as regards the details disclosed, provided the means stated in any of the following claims, or the equivalent of such, be employed.

We therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as our invention:-

1. In partition construction, a series of panels removably assembled one above another between hollow closed posts, each panel having a framing and a panel-stretcher, said framing being a channel open peripherally with opposite in-turned flanges, and an intermediate hollow horizontal member extending between posts and aligning adjoining panel-framing surfaces, said member having positioning-shoulders adjacent its edges to coact with the adjoining panel-framing.

2. In partition construction, a series of panels removably assembled one .above another between hollow closed posts, and a hollow horizontal member formed of a channel open in the plane of the partition and having opposite in-turned flanges, said member having positioning-shoulders adjacent its edges above and below to coact with the respective upper and lower panel-framing.

3. In partition construction, a series of panels removably assembled one above another between hollow closed posts, and a hollow horizontal member formed of mating channels with out-turned flanges welded together along its upper and lower surfaces, said member having positioning shoulders adjacent its edges above and below-to coact with the respective upper and lower panel framing.

4. In partition construction, a series of panels removably assembled one above another between hollow closed posts, each panel having a framing and panel-stretcher, said framing being a channel open peripherally with opposite in-turned flanges, and an intermediate hollow horizontal member extending between posts and aligning adjoining panel framing surfaces, said member being formed of a channel open in the plane of the partition and having opposite in-turned flanges, and having positioningshoulders adjacent its edges above and below to coact 'Jiththe iii-turned flanges of the respective upper and lower panel-framing.

5. In partition construction, a. series of panels removably assembled one above another between hollow closed posts, each panel having a framing and panel-stretcher, said framing being a channel open peripherally with opposite in-turned flanges, and an intermediate hollow horizontal member extending between posts and aligning adjoining panel framing surfaces, said member beingformed of mating channels with outturned flanges welded together along its upper and lower surfaces and havin positioning shoulders adjacent its edges above and below to coact K121i the respective upper and lower panel frain- JOHN A. BOHNSACK.

THOMAS V. BALCH. 

